India's wrestlers, currently protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) at the Jantar Mantar, have promised to intensify their demonstration after receiving an 'unsatisfactory response' from the government, despite receiving assurances from them in a meeting on Thursday, January 19.
In lieu of these talks, the grapplers will file multiple FIRs against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh if the current executive body is not disbanded immediately.
The wrestlers have accused the WFI President of sexual exploitation and intimidation. They kicked off their protests on Wednesday, and continued for a second day as more people joined them in what they called a fight to give 'new life to Indian wrestling'.
BJP MLA visits protestors, more spine-chilling stories revealed
The protestors were visited by three-time CWG medallist and BJP leader Babita Phogat, who arrived with a message from the government and assured the grapplers that their demands will be met as the athletes took turns to narrate their bad experiences in relation to the WFI and their disgraced president.
“WFI president stayed on the same floor and across the room from the junior girls at the Junior World Championships. He would leave his door open. Every girl was made uncomfortable,” said the 21-year-old wrestler
Anshu Malik won silver at the World Championships in 2021 and the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
These are just a small number of allegations that have been levelled against the WFI president.
A delegation of wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan, met with the government to discuss their issues. The members of the government that they met included Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal.
During the one-hour meeting, the wrestlers were asked to end their protest and assured that their grievances will be addressed. But the wrestlers wanted more concrete action and decided to continue their protest unless WFI President is removed and the national federation is disbanded along with all the state wrestling associations in the country.
Addressing the media, Vinesh did not disclose the minutes of the meeting but did say, "Unfortunately we did not get a satisfactory response. Yesterday, we had 1-2 victims amongst us but now we have 5-6 wrestlers, who were harassed (sexually). We can't name them now, after all, they are daughters and sisters of somebody. But if we are forced to disclose their identity, it will be a black day."
"It's not just about his (Brij Bhushan) resignation. We will send him to jail. We did not want to take the legal route, because we had hoped for a resolution but if a proper solution is not provided, we will lodge FIRs against the President.
"We are World Championship and Olympic medallists, don't suspect us, we are telling the truth, believe us."
(With PTI Inputs)
